Man driving through Lafayette to return gun shoots his own leg

A Berthoud man shot himself in the calf Thursday evening while driving through Lafayette on his way to return the gun to a sporting goods store, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

According to Sgt. Brian Zierlein, the man, David Mitchell, 53, is in stable condition and does not need surgery.

"He was on his way down to a sporting goods store to trade in the handgun," Zierlein said. "He took it out one last time while he was in traffic to inspect it, and didn't realize there was a round in the chamber. He pulled the trigger and shot himself."

The incident took place at about 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. 287 and Arapahoe Road in Lafayette.